Fire-escape



(No Model.)

R. BENTLEY.

PIRE ESGAPB.

Patented Deo. 5.,. 188%A7 ummm 1m wmilmimm WITNESSES IN'VBNTOR :A

` ATTDRNBYS.

n. vrins rhammmnpw. wanimwnc UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. i

EIoHAED BENTLEY, 0E coENINe, IOWA.

FI RE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 268,608, dated December 5, 1882'.

l Application lled June 10, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, RICHARD BENTLEY, of Corning, in the county of Adams and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Fire-Escapes, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the annexed drawings, forming part of this specication.

This invention relates to the class of fireescapes which are formed of extensible parts, and supported upon wheels for convenience in transportation'.

, ln the drawings, Figurel is a side elevation of my improved dre-escape, partly in section, showing the manner of rescuing helpless persons from a burning building. Fig. 2 is a section taken on line a: m, Fig. 1 Fig. 3 is an elevation partly in section of the adjustable prop. Fig. 4 is a section taken on line y y, Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 is a plan partly in section, showing means for operating the extensible slideway.:f

A represents a truck, which may be constructed with two independent rear axles having two wheels each, which axles are capable of being turned to a position parallel with the longitudinal axis of the truck to facilitate the lateral movement of the latter. To the forward end of the truck is hinged the slideway B,in which is inclosed the extensible slideway B', and near the rear of the truck is pivoted the prop U, bywhich the slideways are to be supported. The slideway B is provided with pulleys b b on opposite sides of its lower end, under which passes a cord, c,"with its ends extended up and passed over pulleys b b, in opposite sides of the slideway B, at its upper end. The ends of the cord are extended down ou the outer sides of the slideway B to a windlass, D, upon which they are wound when the slideway B' is tobe extended beyond the lower` slideway. As a means of drawing the slideway B back into B a cord, c', is connected to its lower end near the center, and adapted to be wound upon a windlass, E, at the foot of the slideway B.

The prop C consists of two parallel uprights, between which is arranged a sliding frame, F, having a roller, G, at its upper end, on which the slideway B rests, and having two pulleys, d d, at its lower end on opposite sides, under .which a cord, e, passes to a pair of pulleys, d

d', at the upper ends of the said uprights. The

ends of the cord c pass thence downward to a windlass, H, on each side of the prop. By

the operation of the windlasses Il the frame F is made to rise or fall to regulate the elevation of the slideways. The prop is also provided with cords ff', extended in opposite directions and connected respectively to windlasses I J, whereby the prop may be held at any desired angle of `inclination to regulate the declivity of the slideways. The cord f is passed over a pulley, f2, to support it out of contact with the frame-work.

Over the slideways and underneath the truck I arrange an endless cable chain, K, which may be supported on a pulley, g, at the upper end of the slideway B to facilitate the movement of the chain when it is drawn down the slideways at the forward end of the truck. The object of this chain is to lower persons and articles of furniture, &c., from the window of a building. A cord of suitable length, having a hook on one end, is to be secured around the body of a helpless person, for instance, and attached to a link of the chain, which is to be held by an operator at the forward part of the truck and allowed t'o slip slowly through the hands. It is necessary of course that an assistant should tirst ascend into the building to rescue helpless persons and prepare them for descent. v

When the hre-escape is to be transported from one place to another the parts are to be folded together by operatin g the windlasses, which may be done in a few moments, While the device may be prepared for use in equally as short a time.

l am aware that fire-escape ladders have been provided with props and other devices operated by cords and windlasses, and therefore I do not broadly claim such a construction.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent,

In a tire-escape, the combination of the foldingand extensible slideways having the cord and pulleys arranged as described, the oscillating prop having the sliding rollersupporting frame arranged therein, and means for adjustin g the same, and the endless chain passing over the slideways and under lthe truck, substantially as shown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

RICHARD BENTLEY.

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